THE ELFSTONES OF SHANNARA

The second volume of Terry Brooks's Shannara trilogy tells the tale of Wil Ohmsford, who, with his magical and powerful Elfstones, must protect an elf named Amberle as she takes a seed from a magical tree to a place where it can grow. Malevolent forces bar the way. Charles Keating lends his voice to this Tolkienesque fantasy, an excellent match between reader and material. At six hours in length, this abridgment is satisfying--with a fast-moving story and clear delivery. S.D. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 04]